THE PARENTING BIZ “COVID-19 Tips, Plus Getting Back To Nature

Questions On COVID-19? How To Navigate The Coronavirus Disease With Your Child

Supplied By The Windsor-Essex

County Health Unit (WECHU.org) I n the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, your child may begin to worry about themselves, their family and friends, getting sick.

Your child may not understand the reasoning for school closures, the cancellation of extracurricular activities, or why they can’t hug a grandparent right now. They are also absorbing a large amount of new information that can cause alarm.

As your child’s role model, ensure you are taking the necessary precautions to reduce your own and your family’s risk.

For example, make sure your family is practicing social distancing by staying at least two metres away from the nearest person. This helps reduce the spread!

Also, this is a good time to teach your child about how to reduce their risk of illness. Remember to practice what you preach!

When considering how to protect your child against COVID-19, here's some advice . . .

• Teach your child how to wash their hands with soap and water. • Show your child how to cover his or her cough by coughing into their upper sleeve or elbow. • Remind your child to sneeze into a tissue and

• Wash your hands often and after each contact with your child. • Wear a mask and gloves when you have contact with your child’s saliva or other bodily fluids. • Dispose of your gloves and mask after each use. Take off your gloves first, wash your hands, then take off your mask and wash your hands again. • Avoid sharing household items, such as dishes, cups, eating utensils, towels, and bedding. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with regular household cleaners. • Wear gloves while washing laundry and clean your hands after taking off your gloves. • Be careful when you are removing waste and clean your hands after emptying a wastebasket.

to throw it away afterwards and immediately wash their hands. • Remind your child to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. • Have your child stay away from sick people. • Teach your child what social distancing is and why it is important. • To reduce germs, wash your child’s toys according to the manufacturer’s instructions. • Be sure to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If your child has COVID-19, here are some guidelines on how to care for him/her . . .

• Emphasize to your child that they and your family are OK. • Avoid using language that might blame others. • Provide information that is honest and accurate. • Acknowledge your child’s fears. • Provide facts about what has happened. • Explain the overall risk of getting the virus. • Give clear information about how to reduce their risk of being infected. • In a reassuring way, explain what happens if they or a family member gets sick. • Discuss any questions your child may have. • Reassure your child that symptoms in children are generally mild. • Use words that your child understands.

As a parent, your child depends on your comforting words and reassurance to make sense of the many public conversations surrounding COVID-19. Remember, your child looks to you for guidance and needs your affection and love.

In a crisis situation, it is common for children to seek more attachment to their parents. This is an important time to make yourself available to listen and to talk with your child.

When talking to your child about COVID-19, here are some tips . . .

Are you experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety considering the level of attention and seriousness being paid to COVID-19? Don’t worry, it is normal to have increased stress and anxiety in crisis situations.

Try not to ignore or suppress these feelings, but be mindful that your child may sense a change and react to it. Remaining calm and providing reassurance can help you as a parent and also protect your child’s mental health. Providing a safe and supportive environment for your child to express and communicate thoughts and feelings can help him or her feel relief.

During this difficult time, your child will most likely observe your behaviour and emotions to help them manage their own emotions. Keeping this in mind, make sure you continue to take care of yourself! To help manage your emotions, use the skills that you have built over time.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle through proper

diet, sleep, exercise, and social contact with other family and friends through phone or video calls. Performing these acts of self-care can positively influence your child’s behaviour and emotions. This will help you be a great role model for your child.

Remember, do not stress about being perfect! No one is perfect, especially during times of uncertainty.

Regarding your child’s mental health, consider this important information . . .

• Pay attention to what your child sees or hears on the television, radio, or online. • Maintain normal routines as much as possible. • Encourage your child to continue to play and socialize with you. • Incorporate activities that keep your child active. • Get your child outside in fresh air and nature as much as possible. • Keep your child’s mind stimulated with educational activities. • Incorporate activities that stimulate your child’s creativity. • Set limits on your child’s media and screentime exposure.

Keeping busy is also a good way to keep your child’s thoughts off public conversation and to keep things as normal as possible. Don’t throw away your scheduler just yet! Consider making

When considering fun activities to keep busy, check out these ideas . . .

• While maintaining social distancing, go for a family walk (take the dog too if you have one!); explore a local green space area and go for a hike on a park trail or path. • With warmer weather approaching, get your bikes out and go for a ride. • Grab a soccer ball, basketball, or football that you can kick or throw around in your yard. • Bring some chalk outside and play hopscotch or other fun jumping/skipping games with your child. • To get everyone in the family moving and away from a screen, include the whole family in spring cleaning chores or helping out with some yard work.

Recently, “self-isolation” has become a commonly used term in many homes. You may be asking, what does self-isolation mean?

To self-isolate means to stay home and monitor yourself for symptoms, even if mild, for 14 days and avoid contact with other people to help prevent the spread of disease.

Self-isolate if you have no symptoms and a history of possible exposure to COVID-19 due to travel outside of Canada, or close contact with a person who has COVID-19.

Don’t let self-isolation scare you! Self-isolation protects you, your family, and community.

Self-isolation looks different for every family.

As a parent, you may need to be separated from your child if it is safe and another primary caregiver is present.

If you are isolated from your child, keep regular contact! Consider phone or video calls and keep reassuring him or her.

When considering how to self-isolate, here are some guidelines . . .

• Stay home. Do not use public transportation and do not go to work or other public places. • Limit the number of visitors in your home. Only have visitors who you must see and keep the visits brief. • Avoid contact with others. Stay in a separate room away from other people in your home. • Keep your distance. If you are in a room with other people, stay at least two metres away from them. • Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough into your upper sleeve or elbow and sneeze into a tissue, then throw it away and wash your hands. • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use a paper towel or your own cloth towel that no one else uses to dry your hands. • Wear a mask if you must leave your house to see a health care provider or are within two metres of other people.

Have you ever stood in awe beneath a canopy of trees as their branches danced and sang in the breeze?

Maybe you’ve sat quietly on the banks of a stream gazing into the mirrored reflection of the sky? Perhaps you’ve even danced in the rain.

When we are deeply connected to the world around us our lives are rich with these experiences. The natural world offers us peace, serenity and well-being.

Children benefit greatly from nature play. Their natural curiosity about the world around them fills their minds with questions and wonders as they explore nature’s gifts. When we provide an opportunity for children to gather, collect, wonder about and investigate nature items, we enhance their learning.

By blurring the lines between the indoor and outdoor learning environments, we can enhance children’s learning.

Allowing nature’s materials into the classroom or home gives validity to children’s natural curiosities. Providing time and space for their collections to be displayed and played with, deepens their understandings and connections to the world.

How can you provide your child with the benefits of nature play? Simply give them time to discover the gifts of nature right in their own backyard.

Children find joy in connecting with nature and often take notice of the outside world with eyes wide open for discovery. Whether it is that first dandelion growing in the grass or a lovely ladybug that emerges from Inspirations from nature to inspire children’s creative play. Photo courtesy of Michelle van Heugten.

Nature’s Gifts For Creative Play

its winter nap, children’s curiosity drives their learning.

Creative play, with items such as sticks, acorns, rocks and leaves, allows children’s imaginations to soar. Materials become transformed and manipulated to support their play.

Often we will include these natural materials within our sensory bins, small world play and at our nature discovery tables.

When natural materials are offered to children, along with traditional materials, whether in the indoor or outdoor learning space, children’s play is enriched and deepened.

Children learn to care for the natural world. They come to value nature’s materials, which in turn supports their developing stewardship of the environment.

Considering the environmental concerns of our current society, this is imperative as we guide children in their life’s journey.

Providing a space in the indoor or home learning environment for nature to be celebrated and investigated, tells children the gifts of nature are valued and important.

Simply place a beautiful tray or basket out

to house your child’s nature collection. Soon your space will be connected to children’s curiosities and creative thinking as they play with both traditional play materials and nature’s gifts.

A nature journal is a wonderful way to engage children in drawing and writing about the world around them. A book is simple to make with paper, a hole punch, an elastic and a stick.

All you need to do is fold the paper in half for as many pages as you would like in your book. Punch two holes in the paper near the top and bottom of the book near the folded edge. Then slip the elastic through the holes and slide the stick under the elastic ends to fasten the book.

Encourage your child to take their book outside and record what they discover about the natural world. They could even record their observations from inside the house.

Bird watching is a wonderful way to greet the spring season and also learn about our native songbirds.

The inaturalist website (iNaturalist.ca) and app can provide information as you research the birds you discover.

The inaturalist app can be downloaded on your tech devices and used to track and learn about the natural world. For younger children inaturalist offers the app “Seek”

which is easy to use and promotes outdoor explorations.

Your child’s nature collection serves as inspiration for more storytelling as well.

When children transform objects to enhance their play they are innovating and developing creative thinking skills.

In this way, sticks become wands, stones become treasured gems and leaves wings for flight, during dramatic play. Pair these items with your child’s more traditional toys and you have the recipe for a magical childhood experience.

Thinking about how you might offer a few nature items to your child? A muffin tray is an easy way to present your child a few nature items to include in their play.

Remember, when children collect items themselves it will be meaningful to them. Perhaps, you have seashells saved from a trip to the beach or pinecones discovered from a trip to the park. All of these nature items can be used to enhance children’s creative play. Children delight in using these materials within their art experiences.

Nature items can be paired with paint, Play-Doh and other artistic mediums. Create a family collaborative canvas using your nature collection. Pinecones and leaves make wonderful tools to use with paint. Let your imagination soar as you experiment.

When you join your child in creative play with nature’s gifts you help to build their sense of connection to the world. The natural world can indeed serve to inspire and educate us all if we take the time to simply look around. I leave you with the words of John Muir, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” Michelle van Heugten is an Essex County Kindergarten teacher and artist with a love of all things creative. With over 24 years of working alongside children and families she shares inspiring creative play ideas and materials through her blog: Creative-Explorations-mvh.blogspot.com; Instagram.com/creative_ explorations and Etsy.com/ca/shop/MichellevanHeugten. Photo courtesy of John Barnes

from the bookshelf Author Brings Imaginative Game To Life With New Book By Ujjwal Sharma

Alocal author has taken a common childhood game and turned it into an interactive experience with his new book.

“I started taking pictures of clouds that looked like different things, with the intent to compile them into a book where children can use their imagination and decide what they see, and write down their ideas,” explains Chad Price, who wrote “Just My Imagination,” which was published in January 2020. “My main intent for the book was to get children to interact with my art work and enjoy the magic of using their imaginations.”

As a child, Price recalls how he used to love playing the cloud game with his siblings and friends. It was 15 years ago when he first had the idea for this book. Over the years, he has continued to take his own photos of interesting cloud formations that trigger his imagination.

“Just My Imagination” contains Price’s pictures along with an illustration and “thought cloud” for children to draw or write what they think the cloud looks like.

“This encourages children to go back to the pictures and use their imaginations over and over again,” he comments. “The goal for my book is to get children to move away from electronic and digital

Chad Price, author of “Just My Imagination”, is photographed with his girlfriend, Jessica and his step children from left: Ryder (seven), Andi (12), Kinsley (five) and his seven year old son Jakson, who the book is dedicated to. Photo courtesy of Heather Taylor at HT Photography.

forms of entertainment and engage their imaginations and the true magic of the world we live in!”

Price, a full time culinary Chef, notes his book is intended for children of all ages, but best suits children aged two to 10.

Parents can get a complete description of the book and/or purchase it on the publisher’s site: AustinMacauley.com/us/author/price-chad. It is also available through Amazon (Amazon.ca) and ChaptersIndigo (Chapters.Indigo.ca).

In the Windsor Essex region, Price is currently working with local book stores to hold signing events and get hard copies on site.

“I hope kids will read my book and remember that you can have fun just using your imagination,” he expresses. “You just have to look up.”

TAKE THE LEAD Stacey Robert-Tobin: A Change Maker Of A Generation Of Women Saying “Yes I Can”! By Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh

Stacey Robert-Tobin is an educator, author and entrepreneur, who recently received the University of Windsor, “Alumni of Distinction Odyssey Award” for her work in the community.

She is also featured in the latest book by local author Jenn Sadai, titled “Women Ready to Rise.”

At the end of February, I had the chance to meet with Robert-Tobin (RT) to pick her brain on what advice she has for others. Here is a summary of what we chatted about.

Biz X: Why is it important for you to be a community leader? Robert-Tobin (RT): The world needs people who are willing to lead. I see myself as someone who strives for success and I want others to see this potential in themselves. I also want to inspire others to get involved in their community and give back while following their passion in life. I feel honoured that I can be a mentor and a source of guidance to others.

Biz X: What motivated you to start Women of Windsor and what is your vision for the group? RT: I have always been fascinated by the power of collective energy. I have volunteered for many organizations and found it to be very rewarding. I began to notice many unsung heroes in our community doing amazing work and I wanted to acknowledge and celebrate their work. I wanted to create a platform where women could share their experiences (personally and professionally) and network. It has been an incredible journey, and as the group continues to grow, I realize the sky’s the limit. Women of Windsor is a success because of the strong and powerful women who have joined. I hope to offer leadership training/mentoring to those interested in further expanding their leadership skills. (Learn more on: Facebook.com/WomenofWindsorYQG)

providing service from Windsor to Toronto. RT: Fertility Friends initially started out of my own need for support after trying to conceive for a few years. Upon discovering there were no support groups in Windsor Essex, I decided to create one and reached out to Fertility Matters Canada. I became their Southwestern Ontario representative. I was also involved in a project conducted by McGill University to develop a mobile app supporting men and women in their fertility journey. My ultimate goal is to continue to advocate for those who feel they cannot speak. It’s important to remove the stigma surrounding infertility, while providing a safe space where they can share their story and obtain advice, support, and guidance. (See: Facebook.com/ groups/261613851035306). Stacey Robert-Tobin and Bella Tobin rock! As creator of the group, Women of Windsor, Robert-Tobin hopes to connect women to each other, highlight their achievements and provide opportunities to get involved in the community by helping those in need. One of those opportunities is Girls Rock Windsor of which Robert-Tobin is a board member. She and her daughter show off their t-shirts promoting the new group, which holds rock camps to encourage young girls to get involved in the music industry. Photo courtesy of the Tobin family.

Biz X: What advice do you have for future community leaders? RT: Choose something you are passionate about and willing to work hard for! With passion and purpose things fall into place. Become an excellent communicator, work to improve your listening skills and never allow anyone to make you feel less than what you deserve. Treat others with kindness and compassion and build bridges — don’t burn them! You never know when you might need a helping hand. Be courageous, go after what you want in life. Courage does not make you fearless, facing your fears is the first step towards achievement. Lastly, don’t be afraid of failure . . . through failures we grow and get closer to achieving success.

Biz X: I know that you are a huge advocate for women and you started an all-female painting business as a student. Do you have any tips for young women starting out in their careers? RT: Be courageous and proud. You can do anything you set your mind to. Challenge yourself to do what you think you can’t and work hard to achieve your goals. Write down your ideas, because ideas become thoughts and thoughts become actions. Ignore negativity, surround yourself with those who inspire you and build you up. Always listen to, and trust your intuition. Remember that women’s groups should include male advocacy because we are stronger together. To progress, we must have men as part of the conversation; together we can make a difference.

Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh is an award winning leadership consultant and former Director of Leadership Windsor/Essex, Principal, Chief Communications Officer and business owner with over 30 years of experience in education, administration, mentoring, consulting and community leadership. If you know a leader in the community to profile here in this column, please send an email to her at: Sherrilynn@BizXmagazine.com.

March 8, 2020 at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West, Windsor. Photos by Rod Denis. All people in photos listed from the left. Women’s Enterprise Skills Training Of Windsor

Inc. “International Women’s Day Gala”

1. Each year on March 8, Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) celebrates the achievements of women on “International Women’s Day” with a special gala. This year’s theme, “An Equal World is an Enabled World,” came from the idea of collective individualism. We are all parts of a whole; our individual thoughts and actions have a direct impact on society. WEST Executive Director and President, Rose Anguiano Hurst (middle with flowers and award), truly gives it her all to help women achieve their goals through acquiring employment, training and skills development. She was pleasantly surprised, during the official ceremonies, by her staff and WEST board members who wanted to recognize her 30 years of dedication to the organization. On stage to congratulate her were: Anuja Virani, Joan Simpson, Gemma Grey-Hall, Jessica Watson, Lynn Guest, Stephanie Lyanga, Olivia Zhao, Anguiano Hurst, Ann Diab, Lisa Shulman, Nadine Manroe-Wakerell and Maria Ford Conliffe. WEST exists to provide training for severely employment disadvantaged, visible minority women, in order to improve their employability in the workforce and/or further their education. Find out more about this organization on: WestOfWindsor.com.

2. Approximately 520 guests attended the gala, including a table from the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) and their guests, who took advantage of this photo op by the piano — Kelly Gosselin, Sara Dalrymple, Jessica Fontaine, Leta Marchand, Marisa Casey, Erin Flannery, Dana Dupuis, Stephani Fenkanyn, Sarah Woodruff Atkinson, Luciana Rosu Sieza, Anna Levonyan and Jennifer Wardell.

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3. As an award sponsor, the Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, was represented by Shiraa Sheth, Florine Ndimubandhi, Ronak Doowd, Dr. Martha Reavley, Nikita Thakur and Kelly Gosselin (back row). 4. In southwestern Ontario, HUB International supports local causes and charities through various fundraising efforts, and employees also volunteer their time at several charitable events throughout the year. Four members of the HUB team

5. Not only was the event held at St. Clair College, but the college was also an award sponsor. A double whammy for our photographer, who grabbed a shot of the school’s representatives: Lido Zuccato, Bryan Walls, Anna Walls, Dan Allen, Pam Allen, Kiara Clement, Cassandra Mailloux, Jacqueline Cardillo and Richard Lauzon.

6. Throughout the evening, the “Journey Towards Success” Awards were presented to honour individuals, businesses and organizations in Windsor and Essex County that are invested in helping WEST and its participants achieve their goals, plus occasionally go the extra mile! First up was “The Daphne V. Clarke Trailblazer Award,” which recognizes a partner who is active in breaking barriers and affecting change in Windsor Essex. Earning this honour was “A Book Of My Own” literacy campaign. Lori Berg, CTV Windsor Producer and award sponsor, presented the award to Donna Crowe, Director and Helen Chittaro of “A Book of My Own,” who are pictured with Rose Anguiano Hurst, WEST Executive Director.

7. “The Visionary Award” goes to an individual who strives for gender equality. Lisa Shulman, AM800 CKLW (award sponsor) is photographed with recipient Michael Brown (Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, Co-chair BACC Committee) and Anguiano Hurst.

8. “The Sisterhood Award” honours a woman who demonstrates passion and perseverance for women’s equality. Recipient Diala Zaidan (Windsor Counselling Services — International Healing) is pictured with Anguiano Hurst, representing award sponsor Caesars Windsor Cares. Photo #9 caption found on the next page

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9. “The Influencer Award” is presented to an individual who holds value in inclusivity and is active in affecting change. Dalia Mazhar of the Windsor Star (award sponsor) presented the award to recipient Rebecca Saad, who posed with family member, Theresa Saad, and Anguiano Hurst.

10. “The VIP Award — New Business Partner” is awarded to a business or organization that has been supporting WEST for a maximum of one year. On stage for the presentation to EnWin were Deborah Jones, Publisher Biz X magazine (award sponsor); Ann Diab, President, WEST Board of Directors; Brigitte Rivest, Director, Information Technology ENWIN Utilities, Ltd. and Rosana Kemsley, Manager Human Resources Services ENWIN Utilities, Ltd.

11. “The Phenomenal Woman Award” is given to a WEST participant (within the last five years) and was earned by Lisa Eybergen (A.V. Gauge & Fixtures). She is shown with Lido Zuccato, Chair of St. Clair College’s (award sponsor) School of Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades and Anguiano Hurst.

12. “The Innovation Award” recipient is an individual between the ages of 9 to 25.

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The winner was a Grade 12 student at Riverside Secondary School, Bisma Sheraz (middle) who is photographed with Dr. Martha Reavley, Odette School of Business (award sponsor) and Anguiano Hurst.